Sawn Brown vs Planed Green Pickets: Which Finish Is Right for You?
When building a picket fence, one of the first choices you’ll face is whether to use sawn brown or planed green pickets. While both styles are pressure-treated for outdoor durability, the finish you choose can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your fence.
At Clarke Fencing, we supply both types in a range of sizes and styles—so whether you’re aiming for a traditional countryside look or a more refined garden boundary, we’ve got the right match for your project. In this guide, we’ll help you compare the two, so you can choose the finish that suits your garden, your style, and your budget.
What’s the Difference Between Sawn and Planed Pickets?
Sawn pickets are rough-cut straight from the timber mill. They have a more natural texture with a rustic feel and are pressure treated brown for protection.
Planed pickets are smooth, machined boards that have been passed through a planer to remove roughness. They’re pressure treated green and have a more refined, premium appearance.
Both styles are available in 0.9m and 1.2m heights, and you can choose either round top or pointed top to suit your preferred look.
Explore the full picket fencing range to see all finish and height options.
Aesthetic Appeal
If you’re going for a traditional cottage garden look, sawn brown pickets are the obvious choice. They look right at home with country planting schemes, gravel paths, and stained timber gates. The brown treatment gives them a warm, earthy tone that blends well with natural surroundings.
If you’re after a cleaner, more modern style, planed green pickets are ideal. The smooth surface and green tint look great with painted finishes—especially white, slate grey, or soft sage—and they’re a popular choice for family homes, show gardens, and coastal properties.
Surface Texture
Sawn brown pickets are visibly more rugged to the touch. Their rough-sawn surface gives a rustic, handmade feel that’s well suited to informal spaces or where budget matters more than polish.
Planed green pickets, on the other hand, are machined smooth. This makes them safer for children and pets—no splinters or jagged edges—and they also absorb paint or stain more evenly for a neater finish.
Durability and Treatment
Both picket types are pressure treated to UC4 standards to resist rot and insect attack, making them suitable for use in contact with the ground.
While the finish may differ, the treatment quality is equal. For maximum lifespan, we recommend pairing your pickets with timber posts, using post saver sleeves, and maintaining your fence with breathable outdoor paint or stain every few years.
Matching Rails
Pairing your pickets with the right rail is key to getting a consistent look:
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Sawn brown pickets work best with our brown horse rails (87mm x 38mm x 3.6m)
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Planed green pickets are best matched with our planed back rails
Both options can be fixed using exterior screws or galvanised nails, and rails should be installed horizontally between your fence posts at 1.8m or 2.4m centres depending on your layout.
Cost Considerations
Sawn brown pickets are the more cost-effective option. If you’re fencing a large area, keeping material costs down, or aiming for a rustic or utility-style boundary, sawn is a solid choice.
Planed green pickets tend to be slightly more expensive per unit—but they offer a neater finish, smoother texture, and a more premium overall look. If the fence is in a high-visibility area like your front garden, the extra investment often pays off in kerb appeal.
Use Case Examples
Choose sawn brown pickets if you want:
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A traditional, natural look
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A budget-conscious fencing project
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A rustic backdrop for planting
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A practical rear garden enclosure
Choose planed green pickets if you want:
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A polished, modern finish
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Child- and pet-friendly smooth surfaces
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A fence that takes paint cleanly and evenly
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A standout front garden boundary
Still Deciding?
If you’re unsure which option is best, it often helps to see them side by side in person. Visit Clarke Fencing in store to view full-height samples of both sawn brown and planed green picket boards—and get advice on which works best with your existing garden layout, planting, and hard landscaping.
You can also read our full installation guide here:
👉 How to Build a Picket Fence
And if spacing is your next question, check out:
👉 How Far Apart Should I Space My Picket Fence Boards?
Build the Fence That Suits Your Style
Both sawn brown and planed green pickets have their place, and the right choice depends on your space, taste, and priorities. Sawn brown offers character and practicality, while planed green gives you a crisp, premium finish that’s ideal for family gardens or standout frontages.
At Clarke Fencing, we make it easy to build a fence that reflects your vision. Whether you’re going for a traditional timber look or something a little more polished, we stock the pickets, rails, posts, and matching gates to get it done—properly, and with lasting results.
If you’re still weighing up your options, visit our showroom or give us a call. We’re happy to guide you through your choices and help you build a fence you’ll be proud of.
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